2020's - The decade of the start-up companies

Day: Wednesday 27 October
Time: 10:50 -12:20 GST
Location: Sheikh Rashid Hall F, Dubai World Trade Centre

The European Space Agency, being already a "SME friendly" organization will take further initiatives to become also a "Start-up friendly" organization.

In order to underline the importance of the start-up companies., ESA has organized during 2020 a competition inside all 22 ESA Member States, coordinating this initiative with other space agencies making similar competitions. In addition, a further competition focusing on internationalization of products and/or services has been initiated during 2021.

Similarly, UAESA has also organized a competition amongst start-up companies.

The best start-up companies have been offered the possibility to present their company / product / ideas during this GNF session. Panel Members from ESA/ UAESA and other space agencies will have an interesting interaction with these winning start up companies whereby the roles and responsibilities of the public sector and the needs of the start -up companies will be discussed.

The commercial opportunities of space applications are booming. This expansion has been made possible by a combination of different factors i.e. new impulses by the public sector on the one hand, more responsibility being entrusted to industry, and rapidly growing awareness of the space related business opportunities by entrepreneurs / investors, being in particular relevant for start-up companies.

During recent years a major increase in the number of start-up companies has been observed looking for commercial options in their niche markets. These companies are characterized by their strong drive for innovation, quick response times, lean structures, and dedicated personal commitments of the founders / owners.

A truly healthy eco space sector being made up of large system integrators, equipment and system providers, SMEs, and start-ups is a prerequisite for success. The successful start-up companies of today will therefore become the SME companies of tomorrow.

ESA will strive to see this next decade becoming the “decade of the start-ups” and it will take the proper policy measures and initiatives to support start-up companies.

This session is organized by